Apple Inc. v. Superior Court of San Diego Cnty.

*672 *1106 In this writ proceeding, we decide an issue of apparent first impression: Does the Supreme Court's analysis of the admissibility of expert opinion evidence in Sargon Enterprises, Inc. v. University of Southern California (2012) 55 Cal.4th 747 , 149 Cal.Rptr.3d 614 , 288 P.3d 1237 ( Sargon ) apply when a trial court considers a motion for class certification? For reasons we explain below, we conclude Sargon applies to expert opinion evidence submitted in connection with a motion for class certification. A trial court may consider only admissible expert opinion evidence on class certification, and there is only one standard for admissibility of expert opinion evidence in California. Sargon describes that standard.

*1107 Petitioner Apple, Inc. (Apple) is the defendant in a putative class action filed by plaintiffs and real parties in interest Anthony Shamrell and Daryl Rysdyk. The trial court granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification but expressly refused to apply Sargon to the declarations submitted by plaintiffs' experts. The trial court believed it was not required to assess the soundness of the experts' materials and methodologies at this stage of the…